In the name of + Jesus. Amen.
Often in the Book of Acts and in St. Paul’s epistles, we run into “judaizing” – which is the attempt by Jewish Christians to burden Gentile Christians with Old Testament ceremonial Law. But here in Corinth, Paul encounters “corinthianizing” – the attempt by Gentile Christians to unburden all Christians from the Old Testament moral Law. And both of these false teachings need pastoral correction. Some of it takes the form of teaching, of reasoning, of an appeal to the created order. Some of it takes the form of church discipline, such as excommunication (1 Cor 5:1-2). Some of it takes the form of practical advice for how Christians are to navigate the reality of our confession of faith being at odds with the world. And so Paul gives such counsel here.
“Now as a concession, not a command,” Paul asks believers to consider remaining single if they are called to such a life – as Paul is. And he considers this, for himself, to be “a gift from God.” But at the same time, not everyone is called to single life. Such people should not even attempt it, as it defies their created nature. “For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
Paul calls upon all people to be chaste, that is, to live according to the blessings of the sixth commandment – whether they are single, married, or widowed. Each person has to discern for himself whether he is gifted with celibacy, or with married life. For God has created each of us for service in creation and in the kingdom. It takes both the single and the married for the world and the church to function. And for those who are called to single life, marriage is not a gift. For those called to married life, celibacy is not a gift.
As for the thorny issue of divorce, the apostle follows our Lord’s general prohibition of it, with exceptional circumstances allowing it (Matt 19:9). Since Paul is dealing with a lot of converts, he advises believers not to divorce their unbelieving spouses, but rather be a godly influence on them. And in fact, since marriage itself is a mystery, the working of the Holy Spirit in married life is also something that goes beyond our reason. “For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband.” And though it is a challenge, remaining married in such a mixed situation is a path to the holiness of the children.
Paul sums up his practical advice for the Corinthians (counsel which the Holy Spirit has permitted to be given to us as well), “Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.” Becoming a Christian does not change our callings from the Lord – realizing, of course, that we are called to repent from sin and to live holy lives.
And Paul reminds the Corinthians not to fall into the opposite ditch of judaizing, that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is a Law that Christians are obliged to follow. For God calls both the circumcised and the uncircumcised, the married and the single, the slave and the free, into His kingdom. Paul reminds us all of what really matters: our redemption. “You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men,” whether by corinthianizing or by judaizing. “So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.”
Amen.
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Thank you! This reminds me of the following:
Timothy 6:6
Now godliness with contentment is great gain.